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38 Symptoms of Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency

Dr. Ethan Russo proposed the idea of Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) in 2004 — outlining conditions that emerge when naturally-produced endocannabinoid levels are too low. Clinical means “based on observing patients” and seeing trends: it is not precisely diagnosable & treatable yet. Mainstream neuroscience is just now starting to focus on studying the endocannabinoid system.

The greatest evidence of CECD is present in migraines, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome [R]. But not everyone has these particular issues. An extensive list of other disorders may fall under the endocannabinoid deficency category and can vary depending on a person’s endocannabinoid levels, diet, personal history & genetics. The CECD-causing deficiencies can be present at birth, or can be acquired [R]. People with normal endocannabinoid function can suddenly become worse if they undergo chronic stress and trauma.

The archtypical person with a low functioning cannabinoid system is a thin, anxious person. Obese people are more likely to overactive endocannabinoid systems [R]. One of the best weight loss drugs ever made was a powerful endocannanbinoid blocker called Rimonabrant. It was quickly taken off the market due to awful side effects: nausea, insomnia, anxiety, depression and mood disorders. People with low levels of endocannabinoids may experience these type of symptoms naturally.

Commonly Reported Symptoms of Endocannabinoid Deficency

Here are the most common symptoms I observed over several years of interacting with chronically-ill forum users and health coaching clients:

13. Hypervigilance – “the endocannabinoid system acting in synaptic circuits of the extended amygdala can explain the fear response… to unpredictable threats.”[R]

14. History of cannabis use – the “self-medication hypothesis” is used to explain high rates of cannabis use in patients with trauma-related disorders [R]

15. History of anti-depressant use – “antidepressant drugs… likely result in CB1 upregulation, at least in some brain regions”[R].

16. History of alcoholism or hard drug use – acute benzodiazepine & opiate use boosts the endocananbinoid system [R]. People may turn to alcohol to self-medicate from the miserble effects of eCB deficency.

28. Bipolar – there might be an association between cannabinoids and bipolar [R]

29. Epilepsy – “thirsty” available CB1 receptors in the seizure onset zone may contribute to the development of epilepsy [R]

30. Adrenal Fatigue – according to one theory it is caused by limbic system dysregulation and altered cannabinoid function [R]

31. Chronic fatigue (ME/CFS) – Neuroinflammation was found to be widespread in the brain areas of the patients with ME/CFS [R]. Data suggests the endocannabinoid system has a role in neuroinflammation [R]

32. Aches and pains – more susceptible to being bothered by minor strains, pains & injures. Blocking the breakdown of anandamide reduced hypersensitivity to pain [R].

About the Author:
Brett Borders is a natural health copywriter specializing in nutritional supplements and CBD products. Please check out my work. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need high-quality sales and marketing help for your nutritional supplement or CBD brand!